Michelle in 'Wonderland'

Shy schoolgirl Michelle Saji Antony's poetic prowess has inspired her parents to share her words with the world.

They created a blog to feature her poetry accompanied by a series of images of the eight-year-old reflecting the poignancy of her work.

Michelle's Scribbles now attracts more than 1,000 followers and its popularity is growing every day.

Proud dad Saji Antony, an IT administrator and avid photographer, said: "We're totally amazed by the feedback Michelle's poetry has generated."

Michelle's Scribbles, features the child's poems and her musings. Mr Antony, 42, from Riffa, added: "Every time she writes a poem I try to find an appropriate image that matches her mood."

He decided to create the website in May after reading a letter Michelle had penned to her then ailing grandfather, who shortly afterwards passed away.

Mr Antony said: "Michelle loved to read books but my wife and I never realised that she had a penchant for writing.

"When my father was ill and admitted to hospital she wrote him a long letter and when I read it, I was deeply moved.

"Some of the words she used were very striking for someone so young - she was only six at the time. It inspired me to create a blog site for her work."

Following his death she wrote once more and the note was placed on his coffin. "I was heartbroken. I wrote again so that he could read it in heaven," she explained.

A letter was duly sent 'to God' as well asking him to take care of her beloved granddad. Since her blog was launched in May it has attracted 1,137 visits and now her father has also created a Facebook group to support it.

Her mother, Neetha, 34, explained that although Michelle, a New Millennium School pupil, was expressive in her words, she often shied away from speaking to people she did not know well.

"Michelle also hates speaking on the phone," she said, "and we feel that is probably why she resorted to writing and explaining on paper how she really feels."

Michelle has already won the hearts of many. Her English teacher Ishita Sarkar, for example, says she often takes Michelle's work home to show her husband.

Michelle is also very passionate about reading and she spends every free moment with her nose in a book. She said: "I like books without pictures as I can use my imagination to bring the characters to life."

Her other passion is creating miniature stage shows in her room, which she calls 'Wonderland', with her dolls.

Her writing journey does not stop at home or school. She continues her union with pen and paper on the school bus.

Neetha explained: "Every other day she comes home with either a letter or card for her father or for me. She writes to us describing how much she loves us."

Here is a small sample of her work.

To view more of her poems log on to michellesaji.blogspot.com

Black blanket

I lie down on the hard ground Filled with thousands of stones pricking my back. I am not rich but I have a luxury, A black blanket of stars covering me. The day comes, I have to go on, So I say goodbye, I have to make the journey through hard times again And I have to go on even if the sun burns my head To serve a rich soul, Far beyond the sea.

Sleep time

When I am in the bed, Something twirls around my head. Is it just the clock going Tik Tak, Or is it a ghost? And then I freeze. When the cool scented breeze Flows through my hair Then my mother's hair Touches my face, I realise I am safe.